Apple to Acquire Major Classical Music Label BIS Records

[MacRumors]

Apple will acquire the major Swedish classical music record label BIS Records, intending to fold it into Apple Music Classical and Platoon.

BIS Records was founded in 1973 by Robert von Bahr. The label focuses on a range of classical music, with particular focus on works that are not well represented by existing recordings. It is an award-winning name in the world of classical music, acclaimed for its vast catalog and impressive audio quality. The label celebrates its 50th anniversary this week.

The company announced its impending acquisition by Apple earlier today. The BIS Records homepage now features a statement from founder Robert von Bahr:

Dear Friends,

A few days ago BIS Records turned 50 years old and I am immensely proud of what our small team of people has accomplished during this half-century. BIS's specialty, while paying our dues to the core repertoire, has been to nurture young classical artists and interesting living composers and to safeguard the musical treasure that we all represent long into the future. It is to that end that, after much careful consideration, and having just turned 80, I am excited to announce the rather momentous news that we have made the decision to become part of the Apple family.

We thought long and hard on how to maintain and build upon our prestigious history and looked for a partner who would further our mission, as well as an increased global platform to bring classical music to new audiences all over the world. Apple, with its own storied history of innovation and love of music, is the ideal home to usher in the next era of classical and has shown true commitment towards building a future in which classical music and technology work in harmony. It is my vision and my sincerest dream that we are all a part of this future.

There have been numerous moves of late by Apple to further support creativity within the classical space, not the least of which was the release of Apple Music Classical earlier this year. Apple and BIS also share a fundamental belief in the importance of preserving audio quality. As you are all aware, BIS has always been about exceptional sound quality, and Apple's dedication to sound, as well as to Spatial Audio, is something I have followed with interest.

BIS will become part of Apple Music Classical and Platoon. As proud as I am of this milestone, I am even more proud of the fact that the entire personnel of BIS, including me, have been retained. We all look forward to a future, filled with new music and artists in golden sound from this increased force in classical music.

BIS is set to become a part of Apple Music Classical and the Apple-owned label Platoon. Apple acquired Platoon, a London-based A&R startup focused on discovering rising music artists, in 2018.

In 2021, Apple announced that it had purchased the classical music streaming service Primephonic and would be folding it into Apple Music via a new app dedicated to the genre. Apple released the Apple Music Classical app in March. The app offers a simpler interface for interacting with classical music specifically. Unlike the main ‌Apple Music‌ app, ‌Apple Music‌ Classical allows users to search by composer, work, conductor, catalog number, and more. Users can get more detailed information from editorial notes and descriptions.

It provides access to over five million classical music tracks, including new high-quality releases, in addition to hundreds of curated playlists, thousands of exclusive albums, and other features like composer bios and deep dives on key works. Apple commissioned high-resolution digital portraits of famous composers like Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, and Johann Sebastian Bach for the app, using color palettes and artistic references from the relevant classical period, with more unique artwork to be added over time.

Upon the app's release, Apple said that it had been working with classical music artists and institutions to offer exclusive content and recordings. The acquisition of BIS Records appears to be the latest move to bolster the service.

Article Link: Apple to Acquire Major Classical Music Label BIS Records

 

[xxray]

Apple acquiring a record label? Did not see that one coming.

 

[BellSystem]

It’s like they want to set the stage for a large anti-trust lawsuit. Insert clip of Jobs saying Apple’s problem is it’s unfocused.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Interesting they had the deal originally with the Beatles not to get into music. I know they worked that one out but it's strange that Apple is specifically getting into music. Not just music creation or distribution but an actual record label, the exact opposite of what they originally said they wouldn't do. I know that was a long time ago and times have changed, but it's interesting I think.

Just more fuel for the services slice of the revenue pie, I guess.

 

[newton4000]

Interesting they had the deal originally with the Beatles not to get into music. I know they worked that one out but it's strange that Apple is specifically getting into music. Not just music creation or distribution but an actual record label, the exact opposite of what they originally said they wouldn't do. I know that was a long time ago and times have changed, but it's interesting I think.

Just more fuel for the services slice of the revenue pie, I guess.

So little revenue in this label. This isn’t Deutsche Gramophone. There must be something else behind this.

 

[alfonsog]

I really like BIS. I have a lot of their recordings.

 

[75Batt]

It’s more likely for the catalogue than the revenue.

 

[CarAnalogy]

So little revenue in this label. This isn’t Deutsche Gramophone. There must be something else behind this.

Probably just starting out small. Apple famously likes to own everything it uses. Probably a way of increasing streaming profits by saving on licensing.

 

[lamboaudi4]

Damn. I don't think I've ever heard a bad recording from BIS; they've always had great sound quality.

 

[tomtad]

The fact there continues to be no iPad or Mac version of the Classical app, and seems to be no immediate plan to do so, is an abomination

 

[retta283]

BIS is a splendid label, ever since the very first LP albums. In a way I am very surprised that von Bahr went for this acquisition, though knowing that he is 80 he has likely been looking for a way to safeguard the survival of the company once he is no longer there to run the ship. It does remain a fairly small operation. BIS is one of the few classical labels to not relegate itself to laziness in recent years, there are still interesting projects cropping up all the time. They're still getting Suzuki to publish new Bach cycles almost 30 years after he started working with them.

Here I can mention a funny story about Robert von Bahr; when he founded BIS it was basically just him running the show, he did everything down to delivering the records to local shops in Sweden. However, he found the cost of transporting his albums through the Stockholm underground to be leviable, so he found a loophole. A baby pram is not charged any fare, so he loaded the albums in the pram and carried them with him. His argument was that there did not need to be a baby in the pram!

 

[laptech]

It will be interesting to see if Apple Corp (the Beatles music label) will take a look at this because Apple buying a music label means it is pushing itself in the music world of music companies such as Apple Corp and I believe from a long running dispute between the two companies was resolved by both of them agreeing that neither would encroach into the others field of work. Apple computer has now done this by buying up a music label. This will now put it squarely at odds with Apple Corp because there is the possibility of confusion. Will musical people think that it is Apple Corp that is involved with the classical music label? How man times have we heard of Apple taking companies or individuals to court because Apple has accused them of doing something that is closely associated with Apple and thus Apple does not want consumers to be confused. Seems to me Apple is stepping on the feet of Apple Corp.

 

[Marbles1]

The fact there continues to be no iPad or Mac version of the Classical app, and seems to be no immediate plan to do so, is an abomination

Agreed, a desktop or iPad app that really pushes the discovery side well would be amazing. I'm imagining something like a cross between Microsoft Encarta and Ishkur's Guide (http://music.ishkur.com/) to electronic music but for classical; really exploring the links between composers and providing much needed context.

 

[iAppleOrchard]

What is apples obsession with classical music lately!?

 

[fuchsdh]

It will be interesting to see if Apple Corp (the Beatles music label) will take a look at this because Apple buying a music label means it is pushing itself in the music world of music companies such as Apple Corp and I believe from a long running dispute between the two companies was resolved by both of them agreeing that neither would encroach into the others field of work. Apple computer has now done this by buying up a music label. This will now put it squarely at odds with Apple Corp because there is the possibility of confusion. Will musical people think that it is Apple Corp that is involved with the classical music label? How man times have we heard of Apple taking companies or individuals to court because Apple has accused them of doing something that is closely associated with Apple and thus Apple does not want consumers to be confused. Seems to me Apple is stepping on the feet of Apple Corp.

This fight already happened when Apple got into the music business with the iTunes music store. I find it highly unlikely in the settlement Apple didn't make sure stuff like this wouldn't be covered.

 

[JippaLippa]

Apple music classical is pretty cool, but I'd really like a mac app.

 

[nattK]

What is apples obsession with classical music lately!?

Tim likes to listen to classical music while he counts his money.

 

[Magnus81]

BIS is a splendid label, ever since the very first LP albums. In a way I am very surprised that von Bahr went for this acquisition, though knowing that he is 80 he has likely been looking for a way to safeguard the survival of the company once he is no longer there to run the ship. It does remain a fairly small operation. BIS is one of the few classical labels to not relegate itself to laziness in recent years, there are still interesting projects cropping up all the time. They're still getting Suzuki to publish new Bach cycles almost 30 years after he started working with them.

Here I can mention a funny story about Robert von Bahr; when he founded BIS it was basically just him running the show, he did everything down to delivering the records to local shops in Sweden. However, he found the cost of transporting his albums through the Stockholm underground to be leviable, so he found a loophole. A baby pram is not charged any fare, so he loaded the albums in the pram and carried them with him. His argument was that there did not need to be a baby in the pram!
View attachment 2255269

Haha funny story about entrepreneurship. Seems “Jobs-compatible” culture fit & he is even barefoot, lol 😂

 

[Macalway]

It must be Cook. He would have to sign off on this, and it's WAY out there. It's nice, but wtf. 'obscure recordings'?

This is way niche. Then again, I don't know the upper Apple mindset. Jeez.

 

[RaceTripper]

RIP BIS. It's a great record label. I have a lot of vinyl from the catalog in my collection.

I'm sad to see it go.

 

[Macalway]

RIP BIS. It's a great record label. I have a lot of vinyl from the catalog in my collection.

I'm sad to see it go.

Yes, that's another thing. Money.

I have YET to see this sort of thing end well. Ok for a while, then.....

 

[Marco Klobas]

It must be Cook. He would have to sign off on this, and it's WAY out there. It's nice, but wtf. 'obscure recordings'?

Someone should convince Cook to use Roon...

 

[RaceTripper]

Yes, that's another thing. Money.

I have YET to see this sort of thing end well. Ok for a while, then.....

I suppose the BIS titles will disappear from Qobuz (I use Roon) sooner or later. I have no desire to use Apple Music. For one that will never integrate with Roon. My network streamer supports Airplay 2 but that's not nearly as good as using it as a Roon endpoint, from both quality and user expeirence standpoints.

 

[VisceralRealist]

This isn't a good thing. It says it right there in the article: "exclusive" content. That means that BIS albums will no longer be available on other streaming services and you will need an Apple Music Classical subscription to listen to BIS content. So far I've noticed that Tidal and Qobuz largely share the same classical content: BIS, Ondine, Mirare, Decca, DG, Chandos, Naxos, Warner, etc. But once one of these labels gets acquired by a streaming service, watch it vanish from being widely available...

 

[siriuset]

Okay great but can we get an TV version of Classical and a native iPad app?